Fraport’s Greek subsidiary on Thursday unveiled its ambitious plans to employ international standards in upgrading Thessaloniki’s Macedonia Airport, the largest of the 14 regional airports the German-based consortium will soon take over.
Benchmarks include an increase in passenger traffic by 48 percent through 2026, an increase in terminal space to 57K square meters, a doubling of gates and security zones.
Off-terminal upgrades promised by Fraport include the debut of power-in/push-back positions, a new tarmac and fire station.
The airport reported 5.3 million passengers in 2015, with the goals being 7.9 million in 2026.
In comments at the event, Fraport Greece CEO Alexander Zinell said costs per passenger will not surpass 1.5 euros for the next four years.
On his part, Stergios Pitsiorlas, the head of Greece’s privatization fund, TAIPED of HRADF, said some 40,000 people in the recession-battered country have already submitted CVs for employment by Fraport.
The consortium’s management said 70 people have already been hired, while roughly 530 new jobs will be created in Thessaloniki alone.
Fraport Greece will take over the management, maintenance and exploitation of 14 regional airports around Greece for a period of 40 years, with an investment commitment of roughly 330 million euros by 2020.
